This is an excellent point. I’m curious though, given the hypothetical AI here, would it also have an underlying separate desire to survive and continue its existence outside of its desire for paperclips, or would the desire for survival be integral to acquiring more paperclips (I’m assuming the desire you’re describing is for quantity and not a particular set of paperclips).

In other words, given that the AI has determined that there is no possible way to acquire more paperclips (or it had completed whatever goal it wants), would its desire to continue its existence also be nullified, or would it still carry the separate desire to exist and adapt or choose to acquire a new fascination? (Pens maybe? 😀)

This desire to survive and continue existing is something we see in ourselves and every other living thing. Do you think a strong AI would share this desire as well?

Fantastic article. Thanks for sharing! 😀